Norway’s King Harald, who fled Nazis as a child and modernized monarchy, dies at 89

King Harald V of Norway, a symbol of modernization for the monarchy, passed away at 89. As a child, he escaped Nazi occupation, an experience that shaped his later dedication to peace and humanitarian efforts. His unconventional choice to marry a commoner, who became Queen Sonja, stirred controversy but eventually won public affection. His reign was marked by efforts to modernize the monarchy and bolster Norway’s global standing, making his legacy one of both tradition and progressive change.